B1noun1K

Spirit

UK /["/ˈspɪrɪt/"]/US /["/ˈspɪrɪt/"]/

Definition

the part of a person that includes their mind, feelings and character rather than their body

In simple words: The non-physical part of a person that is connected to emotions and character.

Examples

  • She has a very positive spirit that lifts everyone up.
  • The athlete showed great spirit during the competition despite the odds.
  • The ghostly spirit haunted the old house every night.
  • Many cultures believe that a person's spirit lives on after they die.
  • He enjoys drinking spirits such as whiskey and vodka on special occasions.

Usage notes

Used in contexts related to emotions, motivation, or religious beliefs. It can be informal when referring to enthusiasm, e.g., 'team spirit'. Not typically used in formal academic writing.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'spirit' as your emotional 'spark' that brings you to life.

Collocations

  • human
  • in spirit
  • flagging
  • keep up
  • lift
  • raise
  • lift
  • rise
  • in good, high, low, poor, etc. spirits
  • guiding
  • leading
  • moving
  • great
  • tremendous
  • adventurous
  • be full of
  • have
  • display
  • with spirit
  • broken in spirit
  • community
  • party
  • public
  • have
  • develop
  • foster
  • right
  • essential
  • genuine
  • have
  • enter into
  • get into
  • in a spirit of
  • spirit of
  • be closer in spirit to something
  • be similar in spirit to something
  • be faithful to the spirit of something
  • right
  • essential
  • genuine
  • have
  • enter into
  • get into
  • in a spirit of
  • spirit of
  • be closer in spirit to something
  • be similar in spirit to something
  • be faithful to the spirit of something
  • obey
  • be against
  • be contrary to
  • the spirit of the law
  • ancestral
  • evil
  • malevolent
  • conjure up
  • contact
  • invoke
  • live on
  • move somebody
  • guide
  • world
  • body, mind and spirit
  • the Holy Spirit
  • the spirits of the dead
  • bottle
  • measure
  • drink

Synonyms

  • cheer up

Antonyms

  • apathy
  • indifference

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'spirit' as in 'mood' and 'spirit' as in 'ghost'.
  • Using 'spirit' interchangeably with 'soul' without context.
  • Incorrectly pluralizing it to 'spirits' when used in a non-quantitative sense.